jAM jAR Dance Theatre
Performance at The New Theatre Royal (Photography by Kyle Stevenson)
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Advantage Point
I am in my third year of teaching at further education level, alongside working professionally as a dance artist (although this is somewhat of a surprise for students to think that there teachers are active in the world that they long to be part of.) At times I feel cursed by my job, sometimes I feel proud, sometimes excitement!
The other day I asked my students to write why they come to college and listen (sometimes), participate. I emphasised I don't want to hear, because they like it. They surely had a deeper reason for waking up and coming to college? I wanted them to admit, confess (not to the whole class, just to their piece of paper) why they do this.
The second part of the exercise they had to tell, what they enjoy? Again this is only to their piece of paper I was not fishing for compliments!
Then the third was what they had to do to achieve the qualification? This for some would be bring a pen, others it may be about pushing themselves further!
This to some seemed a pointless exercise, an exercise that I was using to fill time, this was not the point, I asked them to each time, they didn't come in because of the rain, or they were tired, or they couldn't get out of bed, to read there piece of paper... "this is your mantra" I informed them.
Because of this request to them, I thought it only fair I returned the request, so here is my answer...
My comedic side would say money, it would be a lie if this wasn't mentioned as I work to live not live to work!
However, an example of why is today, I start my session by looking at different works, three different works, 'Yesterday' by Jasmin Vardimon, "The Car Man' by Matthew Bourne and "Rooster" by Christopher Bruce. All three choreographers have inspired me in some way, Christopher Bruce was one of the first choreographers I studied at school, Matthew Bourne I thought was over rated until I went to New Adventures for my work experience after reading his book! In no way am I saying we are similar, and our views are the same, but I share certain values with him and u-turn I did after working with him! Jasmin Vardimon I find her use of dance theatre inspiring end of!
We analysed each of the works, well sections of each work, they then created their own version using only their notes. By the time we warmed up they had only 40minutes to create so we could show and reflect! I was amazed, the point of the exercise was to widen their minds to different works, I wanted them to be able to watch something form an opinion and decide what they wish to take from that and use this freedom to create some material that is challenging to them and develops their own movement vocab! The massive leap from last weeks choreography task!
It's for the hope that each day is like today, to see my students achieve at such a high level for their experience and knowledge of contemporary dance (this is a performing arts course so some do not like dance, some have little experience in any dance, let alone contemporary) I suppose half of it is self satisfaction that I have past on information to people who are the next generation (is this ok to half such selfish satisfaction?)! It's a buzz when you realise they have a light bulb moment, it's even greater when you see they have had that light bulb moment but have not realised it yet!!
I enjoy learning from the students, getting to know their experiences and personalities!
I enjoy talking and guiding them through and inadvertently guiding me through my life!
With regards to things that I have to do to achieve...
I need to be positive as soon as I walk in the room, I know sometimes I can be a grumpy old man!
I need to be prepared, not just with my resources but with my readiness to support for the students.
This is my mantra, this is what I need to look at each day!
The other day I asked my students to write why they come to college and listen (sometimes), participate. I emphasised I don't want to hear, because they like it. They surely had a deeper reason for waking up and coming to college? I wanted them to admit, confess (not to the whole class, just to their piece of paper) why they do this.
The second part of the exercise they had to tell, what they enjoy? Again this is only to their piece of paper I was not fishing for compliments!
Then the third was what they had to do to achieve the qualification? This for some would be bring a pen, others it may be about pushing themselves further!
This to some seemed a pointless exercise, an exercise that I was using to fill time, this was not the point, I asked them to each time, they didn't come in because of the rain, or they were tired, or they couldn't get out of bed, to read there piece of paper... "this is your mantra" I informed them.
Because of this request to them, I thought it only fair I returned the request, so here is my answer...
My comedic side would say money, it would be a lie if this wasn't mentioned as I work to live not live to work!
However, an example of why is today, I start my session by looking at different works, three different works, 'Yesterday' by Jasmin Vardimon, "The Car Man' by Matthew Bourne and "Rooster" by Christopher Bruce. All three choreographers have inspired me in some way, Christopher Bruce was one of the first choreographers I studied at school, Matthew Bourne I thought was over rated until I went to New Adventures for my work experience after reading his book! In no way am I saying we are similar, and our views are the same, but I share certain values with him and u-turn I did after working with him! Jasmin Vardimon I find her use of dance theatre inspiring end of!
We analysed each of the works, well sections of each work, they then created their own version using only their notes. By the time we warmed up they had only 40minutes to create so we could show and reflect! I was amazed, the point of the exercise was to widen their minds to different works, I wanted them to be able to watch something form an opinion and decide what they wish to take from that and use this freedom to create some material that is challenging to them and develops their own movement vocab! The massive leap from last weeks choreography task!
It's for the hope that each day is like today, to see my students achieve at such a high level for their experience and knowledge of contemporary dance (this is a performing arts course so some do not like dance, some have little experience in any dance, let alone contemporary) I suppose half of it is self satisfaction that I have past on information to people who are the next generation (is this ok to half such selfish satisfaction?)! It's a buzz when you realise they have a light bulb moment, it's even greater when you see they have had that light bulb moment but have not realised it yet!!
I enjoy learning from the students, getting to know their experiences and personalities!
I enjoy talking and guiding them through and inadvertently guiding me through my life!
With regards to things that I have to do to achieve...
I need to be positive as soon as I walk in the room, I know sometimes I can be a grumpy old man!
I need to be prepared, not just with my resources but with my readiness to support for the students.
This is my mantra, this is what I need to look at each day!
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
24/08/11-
Started with a fantastic company class led by independent dance artist Aaron Vickers!
The class concentrated on the company moving as one. I felt it was important to have Aaron there as he pushed all dancers especially myself both technically in class and as a director! The movement he used helped open up the movement vocabulary of all tue dancers!
We worked on bringing the beginning of the piece together! This was quite slow but it's important to build the work gradually and needed to start the process now!
We need to develop all the material in length and with all our characters! This was started at the end of the day with Aaron helping to propel this forward!
Claire and myself need to talk about both the structure of the work and of tomorrows rehearsal!
Might need a bucket of tiger balm tomorrow!
The class concentrated on the company moving as one. I felt it was important to have Aaron there as he pushed all dancers especially myself both technically in class and as a director! The movement he used helped open up the movement vocabulary of all tue dancers!
We worked on bringing the beginning of the piece together! This was quite slow but it's important to build the work gradually and needed to start the process now!
We need to develop all the material in length and with all our characters! This was started at the end of the day with Aaron helping to propel this forward!
Claire and myself need to talk about both the structure of the work and of tomorrows rehearsal!
Might need a bucket of tiger balm tomorrow!
Location:Spring arts centre
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
23/08/11-let's get creating
Great day...
Recapped all material from previous R&D so we had separate phrases of movements again! Surprising how the material came back quite easily!
Worked on new material, the girls developed a fantastic hair manipulation phrase! I'm enjoying how everyone is getting into The character, flow and energy of the work.
We started on developing characters, writing monologues and developing group movement around it! It's interesting how certain characters monologues lend themselves to more literal movement and some more abstract! Is the literal movement only there because it's the easy way out?
Lyle made an interesting point that not all dancers need be in all the work? How would this change the rhythm of the work?
Looking forward to tomorrow with Aaron Vickers coming in to teach company class and to push me further as a dancer! It will also be great to have an outside eye for the work as dancing and directing can definitely be quite frustrating!
Recapped all material from previous R&D so we had separate phrases of movements again! Surprising how the material came back quite easily!
Worked on new material, the girls developed a fantastic hair manipulation phrase! I'm enjoying how everyone is getting into The character, flow and energy of the work.
We started on developing characters, writing monologues and developing group movement around it! It's interesting how certain characters monologues lend themselves to more literal movement and some more abstract! Is the literal movement only there because it's the easy way out?
Lyle made an interesting point that not all dancers need be in all the work? How would this change the rhythm of the work?
Looking forward to tomorrow with Aaron Vickers coming in to teach company class and to push me further as a dancer! It will also be great to have an outside eye for the work as dancing and directing can definitely be quite frustrating!
Location:The spring arts centre
22/08/11 photoshoot
Day one of the process and started with a photo shoot! A bit of a backward place to start as a lot of the material hasn't been touched since January and with a new dancer! The day was long but got some lovely shots, looking forward to seeing them edited (especially the sunburn) and seeing the publicity poster!
Interesting day, changed my particular view on the way the piece should be, a little worried about how many segments to te work we have and how we will puzzle them together!
Very tired but looking forward to tomorrow to get the momentum going!!!!
Great start.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonc
Interesting day, changed my particular view on the way the piece should be, a little worried about how many segments to te work we have and how we will puzzle them together!
Very tired but looking forward to tomorrow to get the momentum going!!!!
Great start.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonc
Location:The Spring Art Centre
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Shaking it up like a packet of salt and shake crisps...
Performance yesterday went really well! The company had a new energy and performed the material the best they ever had! This was helped with the presence of the second year students. There was a buzz in the room and the hall was alive!
Because the company did so well, we decided to change things up a little! I have been thinking how to do this and have a bag of tricks with me! So if you have seen "The Pursuit of Perfection" already come again tonight as of all goes to plan things will be shaken up!!
Looking forward to warm up!!!!!
Jamie jAM jAR
Because the company did so well, we decided to change things up a little! I have been thinking how to do this and have a bag of tricks with me! So if you have seen "The Pursuit of Perfection" already come again tonight as of all goes to plan things will be shaken up!!
Looking forward to warm up!!!!!
Jamie jAM jAR
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